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5 years ago, the Democratic Party made history by picking an African-American as their Presidential nominee, and the American people made history by electing him their first African-American president. It is no hyperbole to say that tonight, Ontario Liberals made their own bit of history by a) choosing a woman Premier, and b) choosing an openly gay woman as Premier.

It will only be historic in the same vein as Barack Obama if the people of Ontario elect her back to the Premiership when the next election comes up. That will not be easy; I feel the hard part is not what Wynne’s sexual orientation will be viewed […]

We’re in the middle of a lull while we await 2nd round results for the OLP Leadership Convention. The two front runners are neck and neck (Wynne and Pupatello), with Eric Hoskins having declared for Wynne and Takar Harinder having moved to Pupatello (despite not actually dropping off the 2nd ballot in time).

That leaves Sousa, Kennedy, Wynne and Pupatello. I’ve heard several people in the political and media arena now say they dont think it will go beyond 3 ballots.. meaning they think both Sousa and Kennedy will drop off and we may have a result by 7 pm (and again, I’ll be on my way home when […]

I’m about to head off to the train station to catch my ride back into the Ontario Liberal Leadership Convention, and my first musing of the day (on my blog anyhow) is pondering when we might have a declared winner.

I was talking informally with some of the candidates campaign teams who I know, and they informally predicted a long day. One said midnight; another just said “late”. At the beginning of this, we were told to prepare for a Convention still being in session on Sunday (which is why I bought a train ticket tomorrow; if there isn’t one, perhaps I’ll still try and visit people I know […]

In brief, since I’m typing on a Via Rail train headed home (back tomorrow AM for 2nd round voting):

-Wynne’s team is very media-savvy; five different volunteers spotted my “media/blogger badge” and handed me her media guide (I have 5 of them, + a button).

– Kennedy was next most prominent with his team.. we spotted him a couple of times in the AM checking things out with his team and delegates. Also, a thumbs up to one of his media relations folks Denise Brundson, (who I know from her federal associations and also when she blogged) for inviting me as a blogger to his open house.. but I […]

So I’m in Toronto at Maple Leafs Gardens, (or at Mickey Flynn’s eating lunch at the moment using the free wi-fi) with Jim Calder of The Progressive Right. Seen a few friends and acquaintances here, and the Bloggers Table Vantage Point is pretty sweet.

We’ve seen a Kathleen Wynne press conference here in the foyer; where she interestingly made the point she doesnt have to have a by-election; she’s already elected as an MPP, and she will reconvene the Legislature Fe 19, so she obviously thinks that’s a big issue, trying to distinguish herself from Pupatello

Outside, we have some protesters from the Farmers and Horses First group – “Farmers […]

A reminder to those who blog (of any political persuasion): today is the last day for you to send in your application to the Ontario Liberal Party to be accredited to cover their Leadership Convention next week. I understand they’ll be letting folks know that they’ve been accepted by Wed the 23rd. (Convention starts on Friday).

A Draft agenda of the OLP Convention is here (and there is no Sunday schedule on it, because they obviously won’t know until later Saturday whether they need to do voting or otherwise on Sunday)

Looking forward to seeing fellow bloggers and party acquaintances there.

I’m glad to see the money I spent on VIA Rail tickets was not in vain (of course, they have to accept my application as well).

If you’re a blogger – of any political stripe or non-partisan for that matter – send in your application. Your point of contact for this will be Bradley Hammond (email: [email protected]) to ask questions, etc. He will also be the liason for bloggers at the convention.

I spoke with him on the phone today and I’m encouraged but what I heard. I’m a little concerned that there may not be as many bloggers there as I’d like to see.. because space is limited, but […]

This took longer then I thought it would initially, but Mr. Kennedy and his team have sent through their response to my 5 questions about his wanting to be Ontario Liberal leader/Premier. I thank them for sending it in. As with the others (Pupatello, Sousa, Wynne, and Hoskins), all answers are his verbatim, with no commentary on my part.

There only remains one outstanding candidate, Harinder Takar (since Murray dropped out), and I’d not known who to reach to send him these questions. He did start following me on Twitter, and I did send him a Twitter message asking him a couple of days ago if he’d like to participate, […]

– There has been a rising chorus of folks that have been allied with Chief Teresa Spence publicly saying that they feel she should end her hunger strike; Those now include Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come (he of the Cree in Northern Quebec that took on the Quebec government over hydroelectric development), noted NDP commentator, Gerry Caplan, and now Leader of the Opposition/NDP leader Thomas Mulcair. I agree with these calls, even as I am in sympathy with her. She may not have had the PM and the Governor-General in the same room, but she still got to meet both separately, […]

I spoke with Christine McMillan by phone today, and I have some more information from her regarding the accreditation process:

– The blogger accreditation form will be up at the main website of the OLP soon (as soon as things settle down there re the weekend events). They will announce when it is up on their Twitter account (@OntLiberal), and probably a website release (and I think she will be firing off an email to me as well, so I can relay it).

– She did not have a number for me as to how many bloggers they are going to be admitting; it will depend primarily upon space. I […]